Taste: Sorbet

May 29, 2013

Strawberry sorbet is seen at Heyn's Ice Cream on Thursday, May 23, 2013. David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

As the days heat up, desserts that will cool us down become more and more appealing. And as more people look to eliminate dairy from their diets, area ice cream and frozen yogurt shops are offering sorbet to satisfy customer cravings. The fruit-based, dairy-free dessert is a refreshingly cool summertime treat. Grab a cup, cone or bowl at any of these Iowa City area shops.

Yotopia

132 S. Clinton St., Iowa City.

Information: 338-0500.

The build-your-own, pay-per-ounce business model at Yotopia gives customers the power to control exactly what goes into their dessert. The frozen yogurt shop continually has a dairy-free sorbet option available — usually a sweet, refreshing mango — in addition to an array of cake, cookie and candy bits, fresh fruit, sprinkles and sweet sauces.

Heyn's Ice Cream

811 S. First Ave., Iowa City.

Information: 354-1981.

Heyn’s Ice Cream owner Peggy Cullivan said more and more customers have been seeking dairy-free frozen dessert options in recent years, and the shop’s house-made strawberry sorbet ($1.82 to $4.12) tends to be a crowd pleaser. “It has amazing flavor — the fruit alone — anyone who loves strawberries is going to love this sorbet” she said. When business slows down this winter, Cullivan said the shop will develop more fruity flavors.

Cold Stone Creamery

39 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City

921 25th Ave., Coralville

Information: 341-6155 (Iowa City); 341-7900 (Coralville).

Cold Stone Creamery may be known nationwide for its rich, creamy ice cream creations, but it’s a growing list of sorbet flavors ($3.50 to $4.60) that are keeping dairy-free fans satisfied. Head to the Iowa City location for strawberry-mango-banana and pink lemonade sorbet options or enjoy the raspberry sorbet at the Coralville store. Can’t get enough? The chain also serves to-go containers in pints, quarts and half-gallons.